Tired of seeing Florida constantly at the bottom of national rankings? Take heart. The Department of Justice says we're No. 1 in one category: corruption.
Compiling federal corruption convictions over the past decade, Florida topped every other state with 824 convictions of local, state and federal officials — even Rod Blagojevich's Illinois and even Louisiana, where politicians are said to be so crooked they are screwed into the ground at burial.
Of course, Florida is more populous than all but three other states, so perhaps a fairer way to look at it would be per capita corruption cases. In that case, North Dakota can take a bow as numero uno, and Florida ranks a mere 11th. Rest assured we have strong potential to move up the list.
Gov. Adam Putnam?
It's a little premature to pin that title on the 34-year-old GOP representative from Bartow, but there is loads of Buzz about Putnam running for governor in 2014. Step one? Get elected agriculture commissioner in 2010 and have a statewide office to raise his profile until Charlie Crist finishes his second term.
Putnam was in Tallahassee last week, stirring speculation he's ready to leave Washington and mingling with lobbyists at the private Governor's Club along with state Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis, who is officially running for the Cabinet job.
Just before Baker arrived, Putnam's putative successor in Congress, Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, stopped by with Publix lobbyist Randy Roberts. Asked about the rumor he would try to replace Putnam if the House member runs for agriculture commissioner, McKeel just smiled.
Current Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Bronson was there, too. "It sure looks like he's running," he said of Putnam.
Gelber's wing man
Among the often-mentioned Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate in 2010, state Sen. Dan Gelber may lack the money-raising ability of U.S. Reps. Allen Boyd of Monticello or Ron Klein of Boca Raton, or Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, but the Miami Beach Democrat has a couple key assets the others lack.
One is that Gelber wouldn't have to give up his current office to run. Also, he has in his corner the hottest Democratic strategist in Florida, Steve Schale, who led Barack Obama's Florida campaign and is likely to be involved in Gelber's expected Florida campaign.
Schale said this on his Facebook page: "Dan's life values and his experience working across the aisle to get things done will suit him well in Washington and serve the state well. He understands the political and ideological nuances of Florida and was the most successful House caucus leader in terms of election wins that our party has ever seen, proving he knows how to win elections. But moreover, if the race is one against Jeb Bush (a man that once said that Dan would make a good governor), Dan is uniquely capable to carry the torch. A skilled prosecutor and uncannily prepared on the issues, there is no one better prepared to go toe to toe with Jeb Bush."
'Political Connections'
Check out state Rep. Rick Kriseman, D-St. Petersburg on Political Connections today at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Bay News 9.
Brotherly love
President Bush on whether brother Jeb should run for U.S. Senate: "I think Florida would benefit a lot. I think the country would benefit a lot. And I think the Republican Party would benefit a lot. He is a proven leader who, when given responsibilities, succeeded."
Times staff writer Alex Leary contributed to this week's Buzz.
Winner of the week
Frank Sanchez: The former Tampa mayoral candidate and Obama fundraiser has been working full time in Washington for the transition team, mainly responsible for helping recruit Hispanics to the new administration. It now appears Obama has set a record for Latinos in senior positions (nada from Florida, though), including Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Commerce Secretary Bill Richardson.
Loser of the week
State Rep. Franklin Sands: The state House Democratic leader from Weston has been happy to raise ethical questions about Republican House Speaker Ray Sansom. But the Palm Beach Post reports that Sands had been linking committee assignments to party fundraising, including a voice mail from a Sands ally raising the campaign cash link. Pot, meet Kettle.
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